By Yiep Joseph
Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) members in Warrap state abandoned the party and closed its offices, citing division with the party.
The decision was announced by Kuech Deng Mayar, the Chairperson of the SPLM-IO in Warrap state, on Saturday.
Kuech Deng Mayar is the Speaker of the Warrap State Transitional Legislative Assembly, a position he was appointed to under the SPLM-IO as part of the power-sharing agreement in the state.
Deng claimed that all members were compelled to abandon the SPLM-IO due to the ongoing division within the party, which emerged following the house arrest of Dr. Riek Machar.
He specifically criticized Stephen Par Kuol, the Minister of Peacebuilding who replaced Machar last week, asserting that he lacks political credibility, even in his home area of Fangak, and is unfit to lead the peace transition process.
“The current self-proclaimed interim leadership of SPLM-IO lacks the capacity to continue leading the party towards peace transition, given that Ambassador Stephen Par Kuol lacks trust and political support within the SPLM-IO, even in his hometown of Fangak. As such, he cannot represent us,” he stated.
“This letter serves to notify the public that the SPLM-IO in Warrap State, under the leadership of the Right Honourable Comrade Chairperson Kuec Deng Mayar, the Speaker of the Warrap State Transitional Legislative Assembly, and its entire membership, have officially denounced the party and declared the total closure of all SPLM-IO offices, effective today, April 26, 2025,” Deng explained.
However, the speaker’s decision followed a similar event in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, where members became divided, with some continuing to support Dr. Riek Machar while others defected to the SPLM under President Salva Kiir.
Kuec Deng Mayar has remained the Speaker of the state Assembly despite abandoning the SPLM-IO party that entrusted him with the speakership position.
The swift decision of the Warrap speaker after his release from government detention has led to speculation among observers, who question the fate of the political seat he acquired under the SPLM-IO.
Some SPLM-IO members in Juba who are citizens of Warrap state have called on Deng to also relinquish the speakership position, given that he has closed down the party office.
Chol Makuol, a staunch SPLM-IO supporter, stated that while defection is permissible in politics, politicians in the transitional government must also relinquish their party positions in government so that other committed members can fill them.
“You cannot simply denounce the SPLM-IO or SPLM-IG; you also need to leave behind the government position given to you by the party, so that other committed members can fill it,” Chol said.
He expressed that the claim that the Warrap speaker had denounced the SPLM-IO and closed down all offices across the state was untrue, adding that some members still support the party and are ready to fill the vacant positions.
“Not everyone supporting the SPLM-IO in Warrap state has defected; some people still support the party and will soon fill the positions left by those who are defecting,” he said.
He called on the parties to the peace agreement and the president to ensure that those who defected leave their government positions vacant so that the remaining committed members can fill them.